What's on T.V. Picks + Netflix / Amazon / Disney+
What the students should watch this week to tie in with our drama activities!
THIS WEEK'S TOP 10 MIX UP THEATRE T.V. PICKS
How do you rate this week's picks?
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Streaming Disney+
MIX UP THEATRE: Top 10 Christmas Movies: #1
Comedy starring Macaulay Culkin, Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister's wish to be free of his family is realised when they accidentally set off without him for a Christmas break in Paris. Suddenly finding himself home alone, Kevin's efforts to cope with the household chores are hindered by two inept criminals attempting a robbery.
Jan (Age 11) - ★★★★1/2
"A brilliant family movie! The highlights of this movie for me were; Kevin shoplifting, Kevin getting pizza, Kevins first encounter with the wet bandits, Kevins fight back against the wet bandits (his second encounter with the wet bandits), and Kevin's family reunion. My favourite character as might have guessed is Kevin, because he was funny and adventurous all at the same time. My favourite part of the film was Kevin first realising that he was home alone. I will watch Home Alone 2 soon so I hope that it's just as good as Home Alone (1) or better!"
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Saturday 2nd December, Channel 4, 9:25pm
Psychological drama starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman. Anthony, an 80-year-old man with dementia, has increasing difficulty recognising the world around him and the people who care for him, including his daughter Anne. Matters grow more distressing as Anthony begins to suspect the people around him of malevolent intent.
Cameron (Age 18) - ★★★★★
"The Father is a uniquely wonderful film in its ability to have the story come
from the perspective of a man with dementia. The cast in the film is absolutely
outstanding with both Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Coleman playing such
believable characters. The characterisation of an ill person is always difficult,
but Anthony nails it by embodying all the unique and seemingly random things
people with dementia do. The gem that makes this film truly different is the
way its filmed. By having seemingly unconnected events with different
characters suddenly joining together confuses the audience. It means the
audience has more sympathy for Anthony’s character as the viewers are just as
confused as he is – you must see it to fully understand it.
This film is unique but very convincing in building a story around a man with
dementia by, quite literally, placing the audience in his shoes. A must watch!
(and bring tissues)."
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3. FILM: Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Streaming Disney+
Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the reunited heroes make a last stand against the evil Thanos after he wiped out half of all life in the galaxy. With the aid of old friends and new allies, they risk everything to restore order to the universe. Fantasy adventure, starring Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson and Josh Brolin.
Daniel (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"Avengers Endgame is one of the best movie I've ever watched.
It has amazing characters and a brilliant ending.
My favourite character was Captain America with Thanos being a close second.
Overall it is one of the best movies and the Marvel movie to end all Marvel movies.
I would recommend to any viewer of any age."
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FILM: Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
FILM: Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)
Streaming Disney+ / Netflix
Superhero adventure starring Tom Holland, Zendaya and Actor of the Week, Benedict Cumberbatch. After Peter Parker's secret identity is revealed to the world, he and his friends find their lives turned upside-down. Peter decides that he can fix things by turning back time, and turns to Doctor Strange for help. But complications in Strange's spell lead to a rift in the space-time continuum, allowing uninvited guests into Peter's world.
Daniel (Age 11) - ★★★★★
'Spider Man No Way Home was a great film!
The action scenes were awesome and creative.
I loved seeing all the villains from the other spider man films and seeing the other spider men.
The storyline was gripping and exciting with the perfect balance between action and character development. The ending had an awesome fight scene with everybody in it and the very end was interesting and didn't do what you expected it to do.
All and all it was a great film with great action and a great storyline.'
The sorcerer teams up with America Chavez, a mysterious teenage girl from his dreams who can travel across universes. Strange confronts various versions of himself while journeying through timelines, and working to restore reality as he knows it. Along the way, Strange and his allies realise they must take on a powerful new adversary who seeks to rule the multiverse. Comic-book adventure sequel, directed by Sam Raimi and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Xochitl Gomez, Elizabeth Olsen and Chiwetel Ejiofor.
Dylan (Age 14) - ★★★
'I thought the film was alright, the scary aspect was brilliant though'
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5. Loki / FILM: The Avengers (2011)
Streaming - Disney+
MIX UP THEATRE Top 10 TV Shows: #10
The last episode of Loki Season 2 dropped this week!
The eponymous God of Mischief (Tom Hiddleston) is recruited by an organisation to find a renegade causing havoc in different time lines.
Callum (Age 12) [Season 1 review] - ★★★★★
'I really liked this show because it gave me an insight into how the multiverse will work. I have grown to like the character of Loki and I like him even more now The revelation of the villain at the end gave me chills. I can’t wait for what is to come. '
Earth's mightiest heroes must come together and learn to fight as a team if they are going to stop the mischievous Loki and his alien army from enslaving humanity.
Jan (Age 12): ★★★★1/2
"I really enjoyed this movie, it was unrealistic at times, which is not something that I like. This film brought together Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America, Agent Barton, and agent Romenoff, to create a group of heroes, The Avengers. I loved the arguing between The Avengers, it was hilarious. The brother of Thor, Loki, came with an army of extraterrestrials to conquer Earth, with The Avengers split apart and Nick Fury constantly disagreeing with the 'council', Earth needs saving. There were quite funny moments in the film, I really enjoyed them. 'My Favourite character top 3 of this movie' is:
1. Hulk (Bruce Banner)
2. Iron Man (Tony Stark)
3. Captain America (Steve Rogers)
'The Avengers' is the last movie in phase one of MCU, Iron Man 3 kicks off phase two, hopefully it's just as good as this film!"
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Friday 8th December, BBC1, 9:30pm
MIX UP THEATRE Top 10 TV Shows: #8
Ian's school friend Darren turns up out the blue sparking many memories - and when the neighbours probe into their past relationship, Gordon finds himself in a spiral of paranoia. Comedy, starring Arabella Weir, Alex Norton, Jonathan Watson, Doon Mackichan and Jamie Quinn.
Daniel - ★★★★★
"This is an amazing tv show, it is very funny and relatable. The actors are all amazing but Christine is by far my favourite. I like it because all of the characters are like real people that everyone has encountered before. My other favourite characters are Jazz and Beth. My favourite episode is the one were everyone is woken up by a car alarm.
Overall this is a great show that anyone who enjoys a good comedy should watch."
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7. FILM: Rocky (1976)
Tuesday 5th December, ITV4, 9:00pm
Oscar-winning sports drama written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. Rocky Balboa is a down-on-his-luck boxer scraping a living collecting debts for a Philadelphia loan shark. But when heavyweight champion Apollo Creed puts his title up for grabs in a US Bicentennial publicity stunt, Balboa receives an unexpected shot at the big time.
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8. Doctor Who
Saturday 2nd December, BBC1, 6:30pm
MIX UP THEATRE Top 10 TV Shows: #9
An out-of-control Tardis takes the Doctor and Donna to the furthest edge of adventure, to face the most desperate fight of their lives, with the fate of the universe at stake.
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9. FILM: Nativity! (2009)
Sunday 3rd December, BBC1, 3:15pm
MIX UP THEATRE: Top 10 Christmas Movies
Comedy starring Martin Freeman. Despite being traumatised by a bad review years earlier, primary school teacher Paul Maddens is tasked with directing the annual Nativity play. Taunted by a teacher from a rival school, Paul foolishly promises that an old flame, now a Hollywood producer, is coming to see his production.
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Sky Cinema
Animated fantasy comedy featuring the voices of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz. Shrek is a grumpy green ogre whose swamp is overrun with homeless traditional fairy-tale characters. To get them evicted by evil Lord Farquaad, he must rescue Princess Fiona from her dragon-guarded tower, with only a talking donkey for company.
Daniel (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"Shrek is an amazing film for all ages.
My favourite characters are Shrek and Donkey.
My reasons for liking it are: the great story, the great characters and the great adventures.
This was one of my favourite films when I was a kid and still is now."
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What else is on?...
FILM: The Truman Show (1998)
Streaming - Netflix - Amazon Prime
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Streaming - Disney+
For the fourth year, Disney+ prepares to unleash ghouls, goblins and other monstrosities for its Hallowstream celebrations and this 10-part fantasy adventure inspired by RL Stine's best-selling books is one of the 2023 highlights. High school students Isabella (Ana Yi Puig), Isaiah (Zack Morris), James (Miles McKenna), Lucas (Will Price) and Margot (Isa Briones) investigate the grim history of teenager Harold Biddle (Ben Cockell) 30 years ago. The truth about Harold's tragic passing exhumes dark secrets connected to the students' parents and a new English teacher, Nathan Bratt (Justin Long), who moves into the Biddle house and becomes an unlikely vessel for overdue revenge.
Evan (Age 12) - ★★★★★
"The casting is really good. Same with the story, it's a perfect mix of scary and comedy. 5 pumpkins our of 5"
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FILM: Iron Man 3
Streaming - Disney+
Jan (Age 12): ★★★★★
"I loved this film!! The main characters (Tony Stark, Colonel Rhodes, and Pepper) were all amazing! There were lots of things I enjoyed about this movie; I enjoyed the Mandarin turning out to be an actor, I think that multiple Iron Man suits are awesome, and Harley was pretty funny at times as well. Aldrich Killian was making some weird new version of people, they were kinda creepy, as they could breath fire and melt stuff. Aldrich also made 'the mandarin', a figure he used to make people believe was behind all this terrorism. There were some confusing parts of this movie though; this is not the last film Tony Stark (Iron Man) is in but he blew up all his suits, Pepper survives a 200 foot drop, and why would Rhodes change the name 'War Machine' to 'Iron Patriot'. The brilliant characters and the great storyline, is what made this film so good! 'My Favourite character top of this movie' is:
1. Tony Stark (Iron Man)
2. Colonel Rhodes (Iron Patriot/War Machine)
3. The goofy actor behind 'the mandarin'
Overall, I think that phase two of the infinity saga has started brilliantly! Hopefully 'Thor: the dark world' will be just as good as this film!"
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FILM: Captain America: The First Avenger
Streaming Disney+
Jan (Age 12): ★★★★1/2
"I really enjoyed this film, the film was set during the 1940s. The highlights for me were; Steve Rogers trying (and failing) to get into the U.S. army, he takes part in a project and becomes Captain America after finally getting a place in the army. Steve also had a friend (Bucky Barnes) who was in the US military, Steve soon learns Bucky is either dead or held captive by HYDRA (the Nazi division for science). HYDRA is led by the power-hungry Red Skull, who plans to conquer all the planet for himself, including Nazi Germany. This plot is very thrilling to watch!
'My Favourite character top 3 of this movie' is:
1. Howard Stark (he was absolutely hilarious)
2. Steve Rogers
3. Bucky Barnes
Overall a great film, with amazing characters, and dramatic scenes (a bit over-dramatic at times). I recommend this movie to anyone who likes action-adventure films."
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Make sure you've booked in for This Week's Mix Up Theatre DRAMA CLASSES
